Deer Resistant Annuals

Using plants in this list does not guarantee against deer damage. Deer populations and deer taste preferences are variable, and if you have large herds with limited food supply, you are more likely to experience deer damage.

Ageratum

Alyssum

Amaranthus

Angel's Trumpet

Calendula

Castor Bean

Cosmos

Dusty Miller

Forget-Me-Not

Globe Amaranth

Heliotrope

Lantana

Marigold

Nasturtium

Nicotiana

Niermbergia

Pennisetum (Purple Fountain Grass)

Rosemary

Salvia

Snapdragon

Vinca

Zinnia

Tips On Plant Protection

Use deer resistant plants. The most effective means to thwart hungry deer is to choose plant material that deer do not like to eat. Although there is not a plant that is truly "deer-proof", many plants are less tasty to deer than others.

Apply deer repellents to plants that deer love to eat. These substances repel by disagreeable odor, taste, or a combination of the two. Our favorite is Deer Stopper II which is an all-natural repellent that is effective and it has an appealing fragrance to people! Other repellents that people have had success with are Liquid Fence and Hot Pepper Wax.

Spray all newly planted plants with repellent to train the deer to stay away.

Hang soap from limbs of plants. Bars of soap, with their wrappers intact, have some repellent effectiveness.

Ask your local barber or hairdresser for human hair. Hang the hair in mesh bags from branches approximately 30-36 inches above the ground.

Fencing / netting - this type of deterrent is effective if installed and maintained properly. Jumping to a vertical height of at least eight feet, deer can scale over barriers you may think are impossible. Deer have also been known to crawl under fences and through small openings.

Big dogs - one of the most effective repellents, but only if your dog is aggressive to the deer. Some folks report their dogs chummying up to the deer!